Sailboat having retractable and self-ejectable hydraulic controls

ABSTRACT

A small lightweight sailboat enabling it to be readily transported in passenger vehicles such as station wagons and the like is provided with hydraulic controls integrally and movably coupled to the hull of the sailboat. The hydraulic controls comprise rudder and centerboard assemblages, each of which are pivotally coupled to the hull of the sailboat in a manner enabling them to be retracted and self-ejected when maneuvering the boat through shallow waters or over submerged obstacles. Due to the manner in which these hydraulic control assemblages are pivotally coupled to the hull of the sailboat, they can be fully retracted within the sailboat hull and onto the deck of the sailboat and secured in their fully retracted positions for storage when the sailboat is not in use or when preparing the sailboat for overland transport. Retraction and storage of the rudder assemblage is achieved by pivotally mounting the rudder at the stern of the sailboat in a manner which permits the rudder to be rotated onto and laid flat upon the deck. Retraction and storage of the centerboard assemblage is achieved by pivotally mounting a centerboard within a removable centerboard trunk in a manner which permits the centerboard to be locked within the centerboard trunk and released therefrom by controls housed within the trunk. In sizes up to about eight feet in length the boat will comprise a unitary hull. For ease of transport and storage, however, longer boats can comprise bow and stern sections joined together at transverse bulkheads. In such event one hydraulic control is in each section; and the two sections are preferably hingedly coupled together and provided with integrally mounted and hingedly coupled members for stiffening the extended hull sections.

nited States Patent [191 Scholle Sept. 2, 1975 SAILBOAT HAVING RETRACTABLE AND SELF-EJECTABLE HYDRAULIC CONTROLS Roger A. Scholle, 8 White Bush Ln., Scarsdale, NY. 10585 [22] Filed: Dec. 13, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 424,626

[76] Inventor:

Primary ExaminerTrygve M. Blix Assistant ExaminerCharles E. Frankfort Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Howard E. Thompson, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT A small lightweight sailboat enabling it to be readily transported in passenger vehicles such as station wagons and the like is provided with hydraulic controls integrally and movably coupled to the hull of the sailboat. The hydraulic controls comprise rudder and centerboard assemblages, each of which are pivotally coupled to the hull of the sailboat in a manner enabling them to be retracted and self-ejected when maneuvering the boat through shallow waters or over submerged obstacles. Due to the manner in which these hydraulic control assemblages are pivotally coupled to the hull of the sailboat, they can be fully retracted within the sailboat hull and onto the deck of the sailboat and secured in their fully retracted positions for storage when the sailboat is not in use or when preparing the sailboat for overland transport. Retraction and storage of the rudder assemblage is achieved by pivotally mounting the rudder at the stern of the sailboat in a manner which permits the rudder to be rotated onto and laid flat upon the deck. Retraction and storage of the centerboard assemblage is achieved by pivotally mounting a centerboard within a removable centerboard trunk in a manner which permits the centerboard to be locked within the centerboard trunk and released therefrom by controls housed within the trunk.

In sizes up to about eight feet in length the boat will comprise a unitary hull. For ease of transport and storage, however, longer boats can comprise bow and stem sections joined together at transverse bulkheads. In such event one hydraulic control is in each section; and the two sections are preferably hingedly coupled together and provided with integrally mounted and hingedly coupled members for stiffening the extended hull sections.

18 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTED SEP 2 i975 SHEETBUFQ SAllLlBOAT HAVING RETRACTABLE AND SELF-EJIECTABLE HYDRAULIC CONTROLS This invention relates to small, lightweight sailboats having integral therewith pivotally mounted retractable and self-ejectable hydraulic controls. a

The sailboats are of a sizeandweight enabling them to be transported overland in passenger vehicles such as station wagons. Boats up to about eight feet in length can have unitary hulls but longer boats preferably comprise separate bow and stern sections joined at transverse central bulkheads. Such separate sections can be joined in various ways; but consistent with the integral mounting of the hydraulic controls, they are preferably pivotally joined and equipped with integral foldable stiffening means of the type shown in my prior US. Pat. No. 3,724,011, the disclosure of whichis hereby made part of the present application. i

The hydraulic controls comprise rudder and centerboard assemblages pivotally coupled to the hull of the sailboat so that they are an integral part of the boat and the pivotal mounting of the hydraulic controls permits the boat to be sailed in shallow waters or over submerged obstacles without endangering the boat, its user, or the hydraulic controls. The manner in which these assemblages are pivotally mounted'also permits them to be retracted and secured to the sailboat hull when not in use without the need for any tools or supplemental equipment. I

Retraction, self-ejection and storage of the rudde assemblage is achieved by pivotally mounting a rudder arm carrying a rudderblade at the stern of the boat so that the entire assemblage is integral with the boat and can be pivotally rotated toward and away from the bow of the boat in general alignment with its longitudinal axis. Means areal-so provided for compactly collapsing the rudder blade onto the boat deck and securing it there when it is not beingused.

Rctraction, self-ejection and storage of the centerboard assemblage is achieved by pivo'tally mounting the centerboard within a centcrboard trunk which extends through and is detachablysupported in-the boat hull. The centerboard pivot extends completely through the centerboard trunk for easy access when the center board trunk is detached from the hull. A tensioning linkage is provided to} maintain thecenterboard in its operative position when in use, and a rigid element of this linkage provides means for locking the centerboard in the retracted position. Y 1

Since these hydraulic control assemblages are-'retractable and self-ejectable, they enhance the safety of the sailboat as it can readily be sailed over shallow or shoaled bottoms or submerged obstacles without fear of damaging the boat or endangering its user since the rudder and centerboard willfreely rotate and retract until the obstacle has been cleared and then return to their normal. operative positions. Furthermore, with the rudder and centerboard fully retracted andv secured in their inoperative positions, the sailboat can serve as a surfboard, aquaplane. raft, and the like.

In further embodiments the sailboat can be provided with outrigger assemblagestoimpart greater stability particularly when the operator is seated rather than lying on the deck. Also in the small, unitary hull. adaptation a unique mounting ofthe mast atthe forward extremity of the bow provided a maximum-of deck space while supporting a sail ofsubstantial size.

The novel'features of the invention will become more apparent from the ensuing description when considered togetherwith the accompanying drawing wherein the several FIGURES illustrate various embodiments "thereof and wherein:

\ FIG. 1 isa side view of a sailboat of the invention with the hydraulic rudder and centerboard assemblages shown inoperative position;

FIG. 2 is a: plan view of the sailboat shown in FIG. 1

with the-mast removed and illustrating a tiller device for controlling the rudder, and showing optional outriglgers in place;

FIG. 2a is aidiagrammatical view of the hull profiles at various points longitudinally of the boat shown in FIGS. 1 and'2;

.FIG. 3. is afragmentary plan view of the rudder assemblage of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side view of the rudder assemblage of the invention inpartially retracted position; T f

FIG. 5 is an end view of the rudder assemblage shown in FIG. 4, but in fully collapsed or stored position;

vFIGS. 6 and 7are side views with a portion of the hull of the sailboat eliminated to illustrate details of the cen' 'tei-board assemblage of the invention in stored and 0p erative positions, respectively;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the centerboard assemblage shown in FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIGS. 9 and 9a are views taken substantially on the lines 99 and 9a -9u of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is aplan view of a boat incorporating the .hydraulic controls in the bow and stern sections of a twopart hull;

FIG. llis a side elevation of the boat shown in FIG. 11 with parts of the structure broken away and in sections; and

FIG. 12 is a sectional view substantially on the broken line 12-12 of FIG. 10.

. As shownin FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, a small sailboat 10 in'accordance with the present invention comprises a hull 11 having a bow end 12 and a stem end 13 of quite different contours and a generally flat deck portion 14 having bow end 15 and stern end 16 of generally similar rounded contour. A well 17 in the bow end of the deck 14 and extending the full depth of the hull at the bow end 12 thereof provides support for a removable mast 18 and sail 19.

The stern end 16 of the deck has a central notch or depression 16' for receiving a rudder assemblage 29 as hereinafter described; and centrally of the deck 14 and extendingthe full depth of the hull 11 is a centerboard .well or trunk 21, details of which are more fully hereinafter described.

The mid-section of the hull 11 has a generally flat bottom and'an'gularly disposed sides smoothly joining a stiffening gunwale 14 extending peripherally of the deck 14.;ln order to visualize the approximate hull contours at different points between the mid-section and the bow and stem ends 12 and 13 respectively. FIG. 2a

- diagrammaticallyillustrates the approximate profiles at positions B-l, B-2 and B3 in the-bow section and 5-1,

52 and 5-3 in the stern section having reference to the locationoi? these indicia in FIG. I of the drawing.

The hull and deck assemblage should be of lightweight construction to provide maximum flotation. Aecording tooldcr construction methods, the hull could be fashioned from lightweight wood suitably sealed with coatings of paint of lacquer or combinations of a fabric skin with paint or lacquer. The boat lends itself, however, to be fashioned from molded fiber glass with the hull and deck portions being separately molded and peripherally assembled. suitably with a filling of 5 foamed plastic therebetween to provide lightweight flotation characteristics.

The boat is provided wit a unique rudder assemblage having a rudder arm 20a pivotally coupled at 22 to a hinge 23 secured as at 24 to the deck 14. Secured to the rudder arm 20a by hinge means 25 are two blades 26, 26 which collectively form a rudder when arranged in juxtaposition and extended perpendicularly to the rudder arm 21 as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 and in the dotted line showing in FIG. 5. The juxtaposed blades 26, 26 are secured together by magnetic or other fastening means diagrammatically indicated at 27 in FIG. 4 of the drawing.

When in use, the rudder arm 21 projects rearwardly in substantial alignment with the deck 14 with the blade assemblage 26, 26 extending downwardly as shown in FIGS. 1-3. When it is desired to store or transport the boat, the rudder assemblage 20 is pivoted onto the deck 14 at hinge 23 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and the fastening means 27 is released so that the blades 26, 26' can be separately folded onto the deck 14 as shown in FIG. Sand secured in this position by adjustable clamps 28. The folding of the rudder assemblage onto the deck 14 in this manner not only provides a unitary assemblage for transport and storage purposes but also permits the boat to be used for other purposes such as a raft, aquaplane or the like.

The rudder assemblage 20 includes a cross member 29 at the outer end of the rudder arm 20a which extends peripherally to the rudder arm 20:: and permits an individual lying on the deck 14 to easily manipulate the rudder assemblage by means of the feet for steering the boat. It will be noted in this connection that the pivot mounting 22 of the rudder arm 20a is in substantial alignment with the edge 16 of the boat stern so that wide swinging movement of the rudder arm 20:: about the pivot 22 is possible in maneuvering the boat.

For steering when operating the boat from a seated position a control rig 30 is employed having a member 31 corresponding in length to the cross member 29 and pivotally joined at its ends to elongated members 32 having their free ends detachably pivoted to the cross member 29 forming a parallelogram as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawing. By grasping the member 31 and twisting it to vary the orientation of its longitudinal axis this imparts steering movement to the rudder assemblage through the cross member 29 as diagrammatically indicated in the dotted line showing of FIG. 2. It will be understood, however, that various other means could be provided for operating the rudder assemblage 20 from a seated position such for example as a short tiller arm detachably coupled to the rudder arm 21; but the rig 30 has the advantage of being easily operated without the need of shifting position on the deck 14, and without interfereing with a line 51 passing through traveler 50 for control of the sail boom 19' as hereinafter described.

As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing. the rudder assemblage 20 extends substantially below the bottom of the hull 11 permitting the hull to negotiate much shallower water than the rudder assemblage 20. Here the pivot mounting of the rudder assemblage 20 provides a real advantage as the entire assemblage 20 can simply swing about the hinge 23 so that the rudder blades 26, 26' can ride over any bottom obstruction that the hull bottom 11 has cleared and can return again to the fully ex- 4 tended position when reentering deeper water. In this connection. the couplings of the elongated members 32 with the cross member 29 should be of a sufficiently flexible nature to provide no interference with such upward tilting of the rudder assemblage; and if desired. these couplings can be of a nature to permit rotation of the elongated members 32 about the axis of the cross member 29 so that the rig 30 can be left coupled with the rudder assemblage as the rudder assemblage is moved onto the deck for storage as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The centerboard well or trunk 21 comprises a structure having rigid side walls 33 and tapered end walls 34 extending from the deck 14 to the hull 11 to provide an elongated opening through the boat in which the centerboard 35 is mounted on a pivot 36 extending through the side walls 33. The mounting end 35a of the centerboard has a substantially circular curvature about the pivot 36 so that the centerboard 35 can be moved freely from a stowed position 'as shown in FIG. 6 to an extended or operative position as shown in FIG. 7. The opposed end 35/; of the centerboard is also suitably curved to permit free movement into and out of the centerboard well 21. The tapered contour of the end walls 34 facilitate firm setting of the centerboard trunk 21 in the boat hull while permitting easy removal of the centerboard trunk for servicing or repair. Thus, for example, after removal of the centerboard trunk from the boat hull pivot 36 which extends through the side walls 33 thereof can readily be removed to permit replacement of a damaged centerboard.

It will be noted that the lower edge 35c of the centerboard as shown in FIG. 6, which becomes'the lead edge in the operative position shown in FIG. 7 is wholly within the centerboard trunk. as is the following edge 351! when the centerboard is in the stored position. The upper edge 351/ has an elongated cutout 37 adjacent the mounting end 351: for receiving a control assemblage 38 movably secured to the centerboard at pivot 39.

The assemblage 38 comprises a rigid arm 40 suitably having a forked end 41 for engagement with the pivot 39 and having at the other end portion 42 thereof protruding transverse studs 43 movable in lateral offsets 33a in the side walls 33 of the centerboard trunk for locking engagement with stopping blocks 44 within said offsets. Also secured to the end portion 42 is elon gated tensioning means 45 which is mounted as at 46 to the opposed end wall 34 as shown in FIGS. 9, 9a and 10. The tensioning means may suitably comprise two coil springs arranged at opposite sides of the trailing edge 35:! of the stowed centerboard. If the rigid member 40 has an end 42 of tubular construction. and the studs 43 comprise ends of a pin passing through the tubular structure. hook ends 47 of the tensioning means 45 can suitably engage the pin portion 43' within said tubular structure.

The stopping blocks 44 are contoured at the side adjacent the pivot 38 to form a notch or recess 48 to receive the studs 43 for locking the centerboard assemblage in the fully retracted position shown in FIG. 6. To release the centerboard from this stored or retracted osition. the rigid member 40 is pivotally raised to lift the studs 43 over the stopping blocks, whereupon the spring element 45 urges the rigid member 40 to the right as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 to thereby extend or lower the centerboard 35. Note that the rigid member 40 can freely move between the stopping blocks 44 once the studs have been moved past the stopping blocks as above-described.

In order that the stopping blocks 44 provide no interference with raising or retracting movement of the centerboard as when moving into shallow water or hitting a submerged object, the opposed sides of the stopping blocks 44 are preferably provided with inclined surfaces 49 which permit the studs 43 to ride past the stopping blocks 44 so that the centerboard can move completely into the centerboard trunk 21, and yet be free to move again to the extended or operative position as the boat moves into deeper water or clears the submerged object which raised the centerboard. In most instances passing through shallow waters will not raise the centerboard sufficiently to carry the studs 43 to locking engagement with the recesses 48. If this should happen, however, the centerboard can be quickly lowered, when reentering deeper water, by merely raising the rigid member to disengage the studs 43 from the recess 48.

The tensioning means 45 can be coil spring, elastic member of the appropriate yieldable tension, or any other appropriate means for providing the desired force to yieldably project the centerboard 35 to operative position while at the same time being sufficiently extensible to permit easy engagement of the studs 43 with the recess 48 when the centerboard is to be locked in the retracted position. Even in instances in which the I weight of the centerboard 35 may be sufficient to assure its proper lowering by gravity action, the tensioning means 45 provides the further advantage of supporting the rigid member 40 within the centerboard trunk at all times except when it is being intentionally lifted to engage or disengage the locking recess 48 provided by the stopping blocks 44.

Another detail of the centerboard trunk which should be noted is that the side walls 33 in the area of general alignment with pivot 36 are quite closely spaced as seen at 33b to provide support for the mounting end 3511 of the centerboard against lateral stresses when the centerboard is extended and in use. On the other hand, throughout the major portion of the centerboard trunk the side walls 33 are more widely spaced from each other and from the centerboard 35 so that possible entanglement with seaweed and the like will not interfere with raising of the centerboard. In the closely spaced wall portions 33/2, appropriate cutouts 330 are provided to receive and permit grasping of the rigid member 40.

The boat as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is provided at the rear portion of the deck 14 with a traveler 50 through 'which a line 51 extending to the sail boom 19' can be passed to facilitate manipulation of the sail 19 when the operator is lying on the deck. Safety ropes 52 are also preferably secured at spaced points 53 at opposed sides of the deck 14. Also, for greater stability, particularly when the boat is to be operated from a seated position. outrigger floats 54 can be provided suitably detachably mounted by means of rods 55 extending into wells or sockets 56 in the side gunwales of the boat.

While the description thus far has been related to boats having a relatively small unitary hull, it is to be understood that the novel rudder and centerboard assemblages can be also effectively utilized in longer boats in which case of transport and storage requires a sectional construction. To illustrate such adaptation of the invention, FIGS. 10-12 show a sailboat 57 comprising a bow section 58 and a stern section 59 having transverse bulk heads 58', 59' which are joined together by hinges 60 secured to a peripheral deck portion 61. The main or central deck portion 62 is substantially lower than the peripheral deck portion 61 as clearly seen in FIGS. 11 and 12; and for reasons more fully hereinafter described, the portion 620 extends to the full width of the boat at the stern portion thereof and is specially contoured as seen at 62b and terminates short of the bow end of the boat.

The stem section 59 is provided with a rudder assemblage 20, the components and mounting of which correspond with the structure previously described in connection with FIGS. 1-5 and no repitition of the detailed description is considered necessary at this point. Note, however, that as the rudder assemblage is stowed on the deck portion 62a as indicated in the dotted line position in FIGS. 10 and 11, it does not protrude above the peripheral deck 61 and hence does not interfere with a folding together of the boat sections 58, 59. The steering rig 30 having somewhat longer members 32 than shown in FIG. 2 of the drawing can be stowed peripherally of the deck portion 62b as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, again without protruding above the peripheral deck portion 61.

The bow section 58 is provided with a centerboard well or trunk 21 in all respects similar to that described in connection with FIGS. 6-9 of the drawing and as with the earlier described construction, the entire centerboard assemblage is below the level of the main or central deck 62.

Various means can be employed for supporting the boat sections 58, 59 in the extended or operative position but one preferred means of accomplishing this is to employ the hingedly coupled stiffening means disclosed in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,724,011. This type stiffening means comprises pairs of essentially triangular members 63, 63' hinged as at 64, 64' to the peripheral deck 61 and hinged together as at 65 by hinge means having a pivot axis in common alignment with the axes of the hinges 60. When aligned with the deck 61 as shown in FIG. 10 of the drawing the triangular parts 63, 63' can fold readily with the boat sections. When raised to the elevated position shown in FIG. 11, however, the triangular members 63, 63' provide a most effective brace and stiffening means for the extended boat sections 58, 59. It will be noted in this connection that the lower level of the central deck portion 62 automatically provides the necessary clearance for folding the brace members 63, 63' to a position of alignment with the peripheral deck 61.

With the sectional boat as shown in FIGS. 10-12, as with the smaller boat previously described, various type constructions can be employed. As diagrammatically shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, however, the deck portion 61, 62 and the hull portions 66, 66' can suitably be fashioned from molded fiber glass or the like and pe ripherally secured together with a suitable filling 67 of foamed plastic or the like therebetween. With any type of construction a suitably ree-nforced well 68 will be provided in the bow section to detachably receive a mast 68'; and the boat sections can be provided with other structural details adding to their utility. For example, the stern section 59 should include a traveler 69 suitably recessed in the deck portion 620 and if desired, the boat sections can be provided with elongated cutouts 70 providing rails 71 to be grasped by the occupants while sailing in rough water or as an aid in boarding the boat from the water. As clearly seen in FIG. 12 of the drawing, this safety feature can be provided without in any way interfering with the folding together of the boat sections 58, 59.

Even with the foldable construction as shown in FIGS. -12, it will be understood that we are talking of relatively small, lightweight boats which can be easily transported in station wagons and the like and which will inherently be used in areas where shallow water and underwater obstructions may be frequently encountered; and it is considered that the novel rudder and centerboard assemblages provide safety factors equally important for the sectional boat as for the unitary boat structure earlier described.

Various changes and modifications in the novel rudder and centerboard assemblages for sailboats as herein described may occur to those versed in the art and to the extent that such changes and modifications are embraced by the appended claims, it is to be understood that they constitute part of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A lightweight sailboat capable of transport in a station wagon or like vehicle, said sailboat comprising a hull having integrally and movably coupled thereto a rudder assemblage and a centerboard assemblage both characterized as being automatically retractable and self-ejectable when maneuvering the boat over shallow waters or submerged obstacles, and means comprising integral parts of said boat providing, during periods of storage and transport of the boat, for collapsed reorientation or the rudder assemblage on the boat deck and locked retraction of the centerboard assemblage within the hull, said last named means being such as to permit interchange of said rudder and centerboard between the operative and stored positions without detachment from said hull and without the use of any supplementary tools, said rudder assemblage comprising a rudder arm mounted to the boat deck at the stern portion thereof by double pivot means providing both swinging movement of the rudder arm between positions of alignment with and superimposed engagement with said deck, and swinging movement of said rudder arm, when aligned with said deck, about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to said deck, and said rudder arm hingedly supporting a pair of similar rudder blades collectively forming a complete rudder when arranged in juxtaposition and extending perpendicularly to the rudder arm, and the hinge mounting of said rudder blades providing, when said rudder arm is in the retracted position in superimposed engagement with said deck, for the collapsed orientation of said rudder blades in substantial alignment with said deck at opposed sides of the rudder arm.

2. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 1 wherein means is provided integrally with said rudder blades for detachably securing the same in juxtaposed, rudder forming position.

3. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for supporting the rudder assem blage in collapsed position comprises movable clamp means projecting upwardly from the boat deck adapted to engage portions of said rudder blades adjacent the free ends thereof.

4. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 1 wherein said rudder arm fits loosely within a notch at the stern of said boat and the axis of the pivot means perpendicular to said boat deck is in substantial alignment with the stern extremity of the boat deck.

5. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 1 wherein said rudder arm carries at the end portion remote from the pivot mounting thereof a cross member extending perpendicularly to said rudder arm facilitating control of said rudder as by engagement with the feet of a sailor lying prone upon the boat deck.

6. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 5 wherein means is provided at the ends of said cross member for detachably coupling of control means for actuation of the rudder by a sailor sitting on the boat deck.

7. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 6 wherein said last named means comprises two elongated rails pivotally joined at one end by a cross member of substantially the same length as the cross member of said rudder arm, and said rails having means at the free ends thereof for detachable engagement with the coupling means at the ends of said rudder arm cross member.

8. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 6 wherein said last named means comprises two elongated rails pivotally joined at one end by a cross member of substantially the same length as the cross member of said rudder arm, and said rails having means at the free ends thereof for detachable engagement with the coupling means at the ends of said rudder arm cross member, and said last named means permitting rotation of said rails about the axis of said rudder arm cross member as the rudder assemblage may be pivotally elevated in negotiating shallow waters.

9. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 1 wherein both the rudder assemblage and centerboard assemblage are in a small unitary hull, and a vertical well is provided at the forwardmost portion of said hull for detachably mounting a mast and sail assemblage on said hull.

10. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 1 wherein both the rudder and centerboard assemblages are in a small unitary hull, said hull having a deck portion with substantially parallel sides and substantially semi-circular bow and stem contours, and the bottom contour of said hull varying from a downwardly curved contour at the stern portion through an angularly sided flat bottomed mid-section and bow section to a vertically disposed extremity at the bow housing and envel oping a vertical well in said hull for detachable mounting of a mast and sail assemblage.

11. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 10 wherein means is provided at the side gunwales of the boat for'detachably securing outriggers for lending stability to the boat when it is to be operated from a seated position or in strong wind conditions.

12. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim it) wherein the boat without the mast and sail assemblage, and with the rudder and centerboard assemblages in retracted, stored position, provides for alternative usage surfboard, aquaplane or raft.

13. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 1 wherein said boat comprises bow and stem sections joined together at transverse bulkheads at substantially the longitudinal center of said boat, said rudder assemblage being carried by said stern section and said centerboard assemblage being located in said bow section closely adjacent the transverse bulkhead thereof. said bow and stem sections being pivotally joined adjacent the gunwales at peripheral deck portions thereof outlining a coextensive lower deck portion of substantially uniform width throughout the mid-section of said boat, said lower deck portion terminating short of the bow of said boat, and said lower deck portion extending the full width of the stern portion of said boat to accommodate said rudder assemblage when in stored position.

14. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 13 wherein said lower deck portion accommodates movable stiffening means comprising pairs of essentially triangular members at opposed sides of said boat having aligned hinges securing the same to said peripheral deck portions at abutting ends of said boat sections, each pair of triangular members having juxtaposed portions thereof pivotally coupled by hinge means having pivot axes in common alignment with the axes of the hinges joining said boat sections, said stiffening means, when oriented in alignment with said peripheral deck portion being foldable with said boat sections, and when disposed perpendicularly to said peripheral deck portion providing rigid support of said boat sections in the extended position.

15. A lightweight sailboat capable of transport in a station wagon or like vehicle, said sailboat comprising a hull having integrally and movably coupled thereto a rudder assemblage and a centerboard assemblage both characterized as being automatically retractable and self-ejcctable when maneuvering the boat over shallow waters or submerged obstacles, and means comprising integral parts of said boat providing, during periods of storage and transport of the boat, for collapsed reorientation of the rudder assemblage on the boat deck and locked retraction of the centerboard assemblage within the hull, said last named means being such as to permit interchange of said rudder and centerboard between the operative and stored positions without detachment from said hull and without the use of any supplementary tools, said centerboard assemblage comprising a centerboard trunk extending vertically through and detachably mounted in the boat hull, a centerboard pivoted at the forward portion of said trunk in a manner to permit swinging movement from a stored position completely within said trunk to an operative position wherein the centerboard projects from the hull at variable angles not greater than 90, the pivot of said centerboard extending through said trunk for easy access when the trunk is removed from said hull, said centerboard having at its upper edge, in substantial alignment with a perpendicular to the center line thereof passing through said pivot, a cutout providing for the pivotal mounting of a control linkage comprising a short rigid member having one forked end in pivotal engagement with the centerboard and its opposed end in engagement with an elongated tension means extending to the opposite end of said centerboard trunk, and interengageable means on said rigid member and centerboard trunk for supporting said rigid member in a forward, centerboard retracting, position against the action of 20. said-tension means.

16. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 15 wherein said interengaging means comprises transversely projecting lugs on said rigid member riding in lateral offsets at the upper edge of said centerboard trunk and projecting stop members within and intermediate the ends of said offsets.

17. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 16 wherein said stop members have in the upwardly and forwardly disposed portions thereof notches for engagement by said lugs whereby engagement and disengagement is accomplished by pivotally raising said rigid member against the action of said tension means.

18. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 16 wherein said stop members have in the upwardly and forwardly disposed portions thereof notches for engagement by said lugs whereby engagement and disengagement is accomplished by pivotally raising said rigid member against the action of said tension means, and the rearwardly oriented portions of said stop members having inclined cam surfaces permitting movement of said lugs past said stop member's, thereby facilitating full retraction of said centerboard as needed when negotiating shallow waters.

l l =l 

1. A lightweight sailboat capable of transport in a station wagon or like vehicle, said sailboat comprising a hull having integrally and movably coupled thereto a rudder assemblage and a centerboard assemblage both characterized as being automatically retractable and self-ejectable when maneuvering the boat over shallow waters or submerged obstacles, and means comprising integral parts of said boat providing, during periods of storage and transport of the boat, for collapsed reorientation or the rudder assemblage on the boat deck and locked retraction of the centerboard assemblage within the hull, said last named means being such as to permit interchange of said rudder and centerboard between the operative and stored positions without detachment from said hull and without the use of any supplementary tools, said rudder assemblage comprising a rudder arm mounted to the boat deck at the stern portion thereof by double pivot means providing both swinging movement of the rudder arm between positions of alignment with and superimposed engagement with said deck, and swinging movement of said rudder arm, when aligned with said deck, about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to said deck, and said rudder arm hingedly supporting a pair of similar rudder blades collectively forming a complete rudder when arranged in juxtaposition and extending perpendicularly to the rudder arm, and the hinge mounting of said rudder blades providing, when said rudder arm is in the retracted position in superimposed engagement with said deck, for the collapsed orientation of said rudder blades in substantial alignment with said deck at opposed sides of the rudder arm.
 2. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 1 wherein means is provided integrally with said rudder blades for detachably securing the same in juxtaposed, rudder forming position.
 3. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for supporting the rudder assemblage in collapsed position comprises movable clamp means projecting upwardly from the boat deck adapted to engage portions of said rudder blades adjacent the free ends thereof.
 4. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 1 wherein said rudder arm fits loosely within a notch at the stern of said boat and the axis of the pivot means perpendicular to said boat deck is in substantial alignment with the stern extremity of the boat deck.
 5. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 1 wherein said rudder arm carries at the end portion remote from the pivot mounting thereof a cross member extending perpendicularly to said rudder arm facilitating control of said rudder as by engagement with the feet of a sailor lying prone upon the boat deck.
 6. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 5 wherein means is provided at the ends of said cross member for detachably coupling of control means for actuation of the rudder by a sailor sitting on the boat deck.
 7. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 6 wherein said last named means comprises two elongated rails pivotally joined at one end by a cross member of substantially the same length as the cross member of said rudder arm, and said rails having means at the free ends thereof for detachable engagement with the coupling means at the ends of said rudder arm cross member.
 8. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 6 wherein said last named means comprises two elongated rails pivotally joined at one end by a cross member of substantially the same length as the cross member of sAid rudder arm, and said rails having means at the free ends thereof for detachable engagement with the coupling means at the ends of said rudder arm cross member, and said last named means permitting rotation of said rails about the axis of said rudder arm cross member as the rudder assemblage may be pivotally elevated in negotiating shallow waters.
 9. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 1 wherein both the rudder assemblage and centerboard assemblage are in a small unitary hull, and a vertical well is provided at the forwardmost portion of said hull for detachably mounting a mast and sail assemblage on said hull.
 10. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 1 wherein both the rudder and centerboard assemblages are in a small unitary hull, said hull having a deck portion with substantially parallel sides and substantially semi-circular bow and stern contours, and the bottom contour of said hull varying from a downwardly curved contour at the stern portion through an angularly sided flat bottomed mid-section and bow section to a vertically disposed extremity at the bow housing and enveloping a vertical well in said hull for detachable mounting of a mast and sail assemblage.
 11. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 10 wherein means is provided at the side gunwales of the boat for detachably securing outriggers for lending stability to the boat when it is to be operated from a seated position or in strong wind conditions.
 12. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 10 wherein the boat without the mast and sail assemblage, and with the rudder and centerboard assemblages in retracted, stored position, provides for alternative usage as surfboard, aquaplane or raft.
 13. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 1 wherein said boat comprises bow and stern sections joined together at transverse bulkheads at substantially the longitudinal center of said boat, said rudder assemblage being carried by said stern section and said centerboard assemblage being located in said bow section closely adjacent the transverse bulkhead thereof, said bow and stern sections being pivotally joined adjacent the gunwales at peripheral deck portions thereof outlining a coextensive lower deck portion of substantially uniform width throughout the mid-section of said boat, said lower deck portion terminating short of the bow of said boat, and said lower deck portion extending the full width of the stern portion of said boat to accommodate said rudder assemblage when in stored position.
 14. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 13 wherein said lower deck portion accommodates movable stiffening means comprising pairs of essentially triangular members at opposed sides of said boat having aligned hinges securing the same to said peripheral deck portions at abutting ends of said boat sections, each pair of triangular members having juxtaposed portions thereof pivotally coupled by hinge means having pivot axes in common alignment with the axes of the hinges joining said boat sections, said stiffening means, when oriented in alignment with said peripheral deck portion being foldable with said boat sections, and when disposed perpendicularly to said peripheral deck portion providing rigid support of said boat sections in the extended position.
 15. A lightweight sailboat capable of transport in a station wagon or like vehicle, said sailboat comprising a hull having integrally and movably coupled thereto a rudder assemblage and a centerboard assemblage both characterized as being automatically retractable and self-ejectable when maneuvering the boat over shallow waters or submerged obstacles, and means comprising integral parts of said boat providing, during periods of storage and transport of the boat, for collapsed reorientation of the rudder assemblage on the boat deck and locked retraction of the centerboard assemblage within the hull, said last named means being such as to permit interchange of said rudder and centerboard between the operative and stored positiOns without detachment from said hull and without the use of any supplementary tools, said centerboard assemblage comprising a centerboard trunk extending vertically through and detachably mounted in the boat hull, a centerboard pivoted at the forward portion of said trunk in a manner to permit swinging movement from a stored position completely within said trunk to an operative position wherein the centerboard projects from the hull at variable angles not greater than 90*, the pivot of said centerboard extending through said trunk for easy access when the trunk is removed from said hull, said centerboard having at its upper edge, in substantial alignment with a perpendicular to the center line thereof passing through said pivot, a cutout providing for the pivotal mounting of a control linkage comprising a short rigid member having one forked end in pivotal engagement with the centerboard and its opposed end in engagement with an elongated tension means extending to the opposite end of said centerboard trunk, and interengageable means on said rigid member and centerboard trunk for supporting said rigid member in a forward, centerboard retracting, position against the action of said tension means.
 16. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 15 wherein said interengaging means comprises transversely projecting lugs on said rigid member riding in lateral offsets at the upper edge of said centerboard trunk and projecting stop members within and intermediate the ends of said offsets.
 17. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 16 wherein said stop members have in the upwardly and forwardly disposed portions thereof notches for engagement by said lugs whereby engagement and disengagement is accomplished by pivotally raising said rigid member against the action of said tension means.
 18. A lightweight sailboat as defined in claim 16 wherein said stop members have in the upwardly and forwardly disposed portions thereof notches for engagement by said lugs whereby engagement and disengagement is accomplished by pivotally raising said rigid member against the action of said tension means, and the rearwardly oriented portions of said stop members having inclined cam surfaces permitting movement of said lugs past said stop members, thereby facilitating full retraction of said centerboard as needed when negotiating shallow waters. 